In Switzerland, it literally pays to have no religious affiliation. Nearly all cantons and municipalities levy a special religious tax. In all cantons, except Vaud, taxpayers can choose whether to pay this tax – Vaud funds religion out of the general tax pot making it effectively compulsory, although it is possible to opt out of the commune portion of what the commune spends on religious institutions.

Faithlessness is growing in Switzerland. In 2000, only 11.1% were estimated to follow no religion. By 2016, the figure had risen to 24.9%. In Basel-City it grew from 31.0% to 47.5%.

In 2016, another 1.0% of Switzerland’s residents turned their backs on religion. In the cantons of Glaris (+3.6%), Appenzell Innerrhoden (+2.5%), Thurgau (+2.1%) and Neuchâtel (+2.1%) the shift was far greater. Across Switzerland, 80% of the decline in 2016 was among Roman Catholics.